National News

Apr 12, 2019

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2:02PM

Campaigning for remaining six phases of Lok Sabha polls picks up momentum

AIR PIC

After the completion of first phase of General elections, campaigning for the remaining six phases has gained momentum. Senior leaders of various political parties are addressing rallies across the country in their bid to woo the voters.
Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi held an election rally in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra today. Addressing the rally, he said the present government has been able to instill fear in minds of perpetrators of terror.

Mr Modi assured that NDA will give corruption-free strong government to the nation. He spoke elaborately about various developmental schemes implemented by the NDA Government in various sectors like agriculture, industry and the service sector. Mr Modi said that Krishi Samman Yojana will be made more beneficial for farmers and priority will be given to solve the water crisis.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at the same rally, said that because of the development done in the last five years and strong stand taken on the security aspects, the people of Maharashtra will stand strongly behind Modi.

Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Congress leader and leader of opposition in Maharashtra legislative assembly Radha Krushna Vikhe Patil is contesting Loksabha elections from Ahmednagar on the ticket of BJP. The Prime Minster will also address rallies at Gangavathi in Karnataka and Kozhikode in Kerala today.

Meanwhile Congress President Rahul Gandhi has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled the nation to further the interests of about fifteen corporate entities. Addressing a political rally at Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu today, he said the demonetization move by Mr Modi has severely affected the common man. He said the GST regime that was brought in a hasty manner has affected the livelihood of thousands of people, as many small scale industries were affected. He said many manufacturing bases like the knitwear city of tirupur and silk capital Kanchipuram were shut down. He said the NYAY scheme will alleviate poverty by supporting the poor financially.

BJP National president Amit Shah addressed a rally at Keonjhar in Odisha as part of his poll campaign. He will later hold a public rally in Rajnandgaon in Chattisgarh.

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav also held a public meeting at Pilibhit today. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia is slated to hold a road show at Hathras, while NCP Chief Sharad Pawar will address a rally in Sangli in the state.

In Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister and BJP leader JP Nadda will address a meeting of party workers at Prayagraj today. Party's other leaders including Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dr Dinesh Sharma will address public rallies and meeting at Amroha, Bulandshahr, Agra, Doomariaganj and Chandauli.

Moderate to brisk polling was recorded in yesterday's first phase of Lok Sabha elections spread over 91 constituencies in 18 states and two Union Territories. Polling by and large remained peaceful with some incidents of sporadic violence and about 15 cases of damage of electronic voting machines. Tripura recorded the highest 81.8 per cent voting, followed by West Bengal 81 per cent and Manipur 78.2 per cent.

Voting also took place for assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and 28 of the 147 member Assembly in Odisha.